Hull city centre’s nighttime and hospitality sector has received a huge boost courtesy of Levelling Up Funding.

A grant of £750,000 has been awarded to Tokyo Industries (Yorkshire) Ltd, trading as Iron Lilies, bringing a new late-night bar and restaurant.

The funding is from monies awarded to Hull City Council in 2021 by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC).

Iron Lilies will occupy the former Virgin Megastore on Level 2 of Princes Quay Shopping Centre which has stood vacant for a decade.

The funding will also help to create 19 full-time equivalent jobs, as well as bringing back into use large, vacant floor space.

Other proposed works include installation of new toilets and a commercial kitchen, creation of a bar, purchasing furniture, fixtures and fittings, as well as fitting out sound, alarm and camera systems.

Cllr Paul Drake-Davis, Hull City Council’s portfolio holder for regeneration, said: “Levelling Up Funding has already helped to bring huge improvements and unlock great potential in our city centre.

“This is a significant investment to what is an exciting project which will provide a boost to Princes Quay and the wider area’s evening economy.”

Visitors to Hull city centre will also soon be able to enjoy a taste of both France and Taiwan thanks to Levelling Up Funding (LUF).

Crepes & Bubbles Whitefriargate Limited will receive £101,800 for the proposed conversion of a redundant unit to open as a takeaway food and beverage shop selling crepes and bubble tea.

The funding will help to bring back into use 33 Whitefriargate which has stood empty since 2021 when it was vacated by Thorntons.

It will aid Crepes & Bubbles to purchase business support equipment such as fridges and freezers and electronic menus, as well as installing preparation stations and the remodelling of stud wall partitioning.

There will also be the creation of a new customer counter, internal and external decoration and the remodelling of stud wall partitioning.

The project is also predicted to create seven full-time equivalent jobs.

Cllr Drake-Davis said: “This is an exciting project and one that will no doubt be popular in the city centre.

“Having stood empty since 2021, 33 Whitefriargate is in a fantastic location and Crepes & Bubbles will be a brilliant addition to the Old Town.

“LUF has already supported many hospitality businesses and I look forward to seeing another one completed.”